Eddy’s brought the charm, Mille Lacs brought the fish—and the last morning reminded us why you never leave early.
Blog co-written by Sarah Kozlowski and Dori Sell (@dorii_sell on all social platforms)
For the second year in a row, we returned to Eddy’s Resort on Mille Lacs Lake for a weekend of ice fishing and making memories. Last year, we focused on chasing walleyes, and in true Mille Lacs fashion, the bite was strong—mark a fish, drop a line, and it didn’t take long before we were reeling one in. This year, though, the lake made us work a little harder.
Instead of a steady walleye bite, we ran into what felt like an endless supply of fingerling fish—small but mighty signs of a healthy future for the lake. While we still had our sights set on walleye, our attention shifted to the jumbo perch bite that’s been making waves on Mille Lacs lately. It paid off—the perch were fired up, the action was consistent, and one of us even landed a personal-best jumbo perch, a moment that made the whole trip even more unforgettable.
Last year, we stayed in one of Eddy’s cozy lakeside cabins, which gave us a peaceful and picturesque home base for our then group of eight. This time around, we switched it up and opted for a hotel stay, splitting the Kozlowskis in a king room and the Sells in a king suite—plenty of space for everyone to stretch out, thaw and charge gear, and relax after full days on the ice.
One of our favorite hangout spots was the parlor room. It was the perfect place to unwind, edit photos and videos, and relive the day’s highlights. With a TV, a small bar setup, and even a bathroom, it quickly became our go-to space to kick back and get some work (or relaxing) done.
Eddy’s has a great little gift shop too—super handy when we realized we’d forgotten a few essentials. Whether it was an extra jig, a warm layer, or a last-minute gear grab, they had us covered.
When we weren’t fishing, we loved taking advantage of Eddy’s shuttle service to the nearby Grand Casino. It was a fun way to mix things up—hit the hot tub, take a dip in the pool, grab a sweet treat, or try our luck on the slots.
We also made a quick stop at Garrison Sports Shop for bait—an easy detour and a reliable spot to stock up on everything we needed for the next round on the ice.
And of course, no stay at Eddy’s is complete without a visit to The Launch, their on-site restaurant. Every meal tasted fresh and homemade—the perfect way to warm up and refuel after hours outside.
Then, just when we thought the trip couldn’t get more memorable, the final morning delivered one last jaw-dropper. Jimmy hooked into something big—and we all knew instantly it wasn’t just another perch or even a walleye at that. What followed was an 18-minute adrenaline-fueled battle with a 43-inch northern pike that hit us all harder than a morning cup of coffee.
Every hand was on deck. From grabbing the cameras and placing them to capture the fight and Dori and Jay running catch support for Jimmy, it was one of those chaotic, heart-pounding moments you can’t plan for—and that’s what made it so perfect. When that monster finally came through the hole, the morning air erupted with celebration cheering and high fives. A true Mille Lacs trophy, and the most electric way to close out our weekend.
All in all, this trip was another one for the books. Between the fish, the friends, and the cozy charm of Eddy’s, we left with full hearts, sore arms, and memories we’ll be talking about for a long time.
Make sure to check out Eddy’s Resort and Grand Casino Mille Lacs on your next trip to Mille Lacs Lake.
